Issue-based working groups

The working group is one of the major keys to our organizational turnaround. It brings our principals and administrators in to lead critical aspects of CPAA's work, and puts the CPAA president and staff in service to the members who work in those groups. ​Each working group will engage in the following three-step process in order to influence CPS policy and practice.

Step 1: Information Gathering

Collect evidence on the impact of an existing or proposed policy or practice. This evidence will include existing research; survey’s of principals, administrators and other stakeholders; anecdotal evidence; testimonials; and audio-visual documentation.

Step 2: Develop Policy Positions and Supporting Materials

Use the evidence collected to produce materials that represent the voices of principals and administrators, as well as the best available evidence on the impact of the policy or practice. These materials include an official policy position, policy recommendations, proposed legislation, op-eds, one-pagers, short documentary films, letters to parents, and honest talking points that we repeat with consistency and fidelity. We will use these materials to bolster our efforts to impact policy.

Step 3: Act, Advocate, Lobby, and Promote

Use the above materials to act. We will promote CPAA positions, and engage in direct lobbying to ensure our policy recommendations are reflected in state and local policy. While our first step will be to engage directly with CPS leadership, when necessary we will use the above materials to influence policy makers via press conferences, mobilization, social media campaigns, etc.

Proposed Working Groups

In my discussions with school leaders throughout CPS, they identified issues that principals and administrators to come together to address. The working groups below will address those issues. Click a group to see more information on its purpose and function.